Iqaluit (July 02/01) - Bill Tagalik is the answer man. Fire a tourism-related question at him and he shoots the answer back. Which makes the Unikkaarvik Visitor Centre an ideal home away from home for Tagalik for the length of the summer.
As a frontline tourism counsellor (indeed his title) for Nunavut Tourism, Tagalik meets people from southern Canada, the United States and Europe. He happily recommends places to eat, sleep, walk, visit and shop.
Whether on the phone or unfolding a map, Tagalik, 18, said the position is the perfect summer job.
"I love showing off my land and talking about the history," he said.
In fact, Tagalik plans to branch into tourism upon graduation next year.
Watching foreigners roll in and out of town has had an effect. Tagalik plans to pack a suitcase and travel next year -- some place warm, urban and affordable.
Anyone ever working in the service industry knows how charming, and sometimes trying, people's questions can be. Tagalik's position is no different. "We get requests by phone for road maps and I have to tell them we don't have any roads to get here. You'll have to fly.
"They're usually stunned by it," he said.
The most common inquiries are about restaurants and shops. Oddest questions have to do with year-round iglus and ice.
On his days off, he plays the guitar, works on his four-wheeler and plays basketball. He is the oldest of three brothers and one sister.
And even though a handful of Iqaluit residents drop in regularly, his siblings are not some of them. "I see them enough at home," he said.
Despite a full-time work schedule, Tagalik makes time for fun. "The summer is the greatest. The sun never goes down," he said.
